Disclaimer-Gravitation does not belong to me.
Author's note-This chapter is the second to the last one. I have not yet
finished the last part of this story on paper, so I promise to post it as
soon as it's ready. On with the story!
Ryuuichi knew now for sure that he was in love. He had only once came out in public in such a high profile destination with Touma, and even then they had been mobbed by fans. He didn't care then and didn't care now. He wanted to be seen with Tatsuha, to show him that they didn't always need the costumes to go out.
The waiters there, upon recognizing him, were more than happy to seat him in the most private area of the resturant, a darkened little alcove on the covered patio overlooking Tokyo Bay.
Ryuuichi sighed as he watched the moonlight dance over the calm waters, reminding him of the depth of Tatsuha's gaze. If he had been entranced by the peaceful calm of the rippling waves, then he could have never been prepared for the sight of his teenage bodyguard arriving to meet with him.
He fought to catch his breath as he stared at the well dressed young man, utterly gorgeous in black dress pants and purple button down short sleeve shirt. He lloks even dressed up than he does in his normal clothes, Ryuuichi thought, and just as comfortable in either.
It seemed as though the teen carried himself with confidence, him wearing the clothes instead of them wearing him. His eyes widened when he saw Ryuuichi stand to greet him, dressed immaculately in all black with his usual scent of honeysuckle and musk wafting about him.
"Hello Tatsuha." Ryuuchi said.
"Good evening, Ryuuichi. I'm surprised you would come here all by yourself. I am supposed to be your bodyguard, after all." Tatsuha said.
"Why don't we sit down? I didn't bring you here as my bodyguard, Tatsuha. I thought it would be nice to take a night off from your duties. You deserve it after everything you've done for me." Ryuuchi said.
"I don't know what to say." Tatsuha said.
"You don't have to say anything. The fact that you came tonight is good enough for me. Order whatever you like." Ryuuichi said.
Browsing the menu, Tatsuha found that he had way too many choices to be able to make up his mind and allowed Ryuuichi to order for them. The vocalist special ordered a meal for two, a generous plate of angel hair pasta with steamed scallops in white wine sauce.
How could he have possibly known that steamed scallops were my weakness, Tatsuha wondered. He had always savored their midly fishy, salty taste and especially liked them dipped in butter, like Ryuuichi seemed content to do in front of him.
He watched Ryuuichi intently as he licked the butter from the morsel of meat, rolling it across his tongue before taking it completely into his mouth. Tatsuha groaned under his breath at his action, his bodt tightening in response.
Taking a swallow of his pasta, he offered a forkful to Ryuuchi, who accepted eagerly. The two men shared a smile between them as they finished their meal, their connection as strong as always.
Opting to walk along the waterfront, Tatsuha and Ryuuchi decided to check out a nightclub that seemed popular in the area. The bouncers there did not put up a fight about Tatsuha's age as they welcomed Ryuuchi with open arms, the music in the club a rousing dance beat of remix techo and freestyle.
Another thing Ryuuichi and I have in common, Tatsuha thought. That had been what had drawn the teen to Nittle Grasper's music to begin with, that their music was unconventional and different, that it could make you dance as easily as it could make you think.
After meeting Ryuuichi and Noriko and from knowing Touma, he now understood the soul of what made Nittle Grasper so awesome was the passion that the trio exhibited within themselves and shared with others.
He admired that now more than ever as Ryuuichi dragged him out onto the dance floor with a laugh and a smile. Being with Ryuuichi when he was happy was like an addiction, one he never wanted to be rehabilitated for.
As much as Tatsuha enjoyed dancing, he felt a little shy in public doing so, unlike his companion. People couldn't help but stare at Ryuuichi as he lost himself in the rhythm as if it were a part of him. Spinning discs in the booth over them, the house deejay's eyes widened as he scanned the dance floor and saw that he had a famous face in the crowd.
"Hey you ladies and gentlemen out there! How are all of you tonight? I hope that you will help me to welcome a special guest with us tonight on the dance floor, Ryuuichi Sakuma of Nittle Grasper!" the deejay shouted.
Surprised gasps and loud applause filled the dance floor as Ryuuichi waved happily to his audience, asking Tatsuha to assist him to the deejay's booth.
"Sakuma-san, what an honor it is to have you with us at the Pelican Club tonight. So tell us, is it true that you're in the process of recording a new CD in the studio? What kinds of songs can we expect from this new CD?" the deejay asked.
Ryuuichi smiled. "I'm glad you asked me that, because all the rumors you've heard are true. As a matter of fact, I'd really like all of you to be the first to hear the return of one of your favorites on this disc by performing it myself live tonight." he told the audience.
Tatsuha's eyes widened as the audience roared. Was Ryuuichi serious, he wondered. Before he had a chance to ponder this furthur, the house band, who had been on break, eagerly set up a makeshift stage for the veteran artist, taking their places onstage.
"I'd like to dedicate this song to a very dear driend of mine, someone I have just gotten to know recently but has already made an impact on my life. This song is for you." Ryuuichi said.
As the band launched into the song Ryuuichi was to perform, Tatsuha knew exactly which it was, despite the slight changes to the way it was played to make it more modern. It was just like another one of his fantasties, the one where Ryuuichi sang his most passionate song to him alone.
"Oh, the touch of your hands on my sensitive skin gets my attention everytime. Don't try to fool me into thinking you know not what you do. you must know how much I desire you...When I look into your eyes, I just know you want me too... Oh, don't let our love flutter away like so many white butterflies...my heart and soul would never recover, even if it is true that you don't really love me after all..." Ryuuichi sang.
Tears stung Tatsuha's eyes as he heard Ryuuichi sing the song that had anchored his heart forevermore to the older man, realizing that he was indeed the one Ryuuichi was dedicating the song to. Did this mean Ryuuichi thought that Tatsuha would end up walking away from his duties because of their short seperation or was it because that song was so meaningful to the both of them?
He had too many questions and too few answers as the song ended, his own applause overshadowing the rest of the crowd. Leaving the stage after greeting many of his fans, Ryuuichi returned to Tatsuha's side as they made their way outside to leave.
Silent on their way back to the hotel, Tatsuha felt a very strong sense of deja vu as he and Ryuuichi got onto the elevator together. He jumped slightly as Ryuuichi suddenly launched himself into the teen's arms.
"Thank you for tonight, Tatsuha. I wasn't sure you would show up." Ryuuichi told him.
"I'm not angry about what happened between us. I care about you too much to allow that to happen. I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it." Tatsuha said.
"What did you think of my rendition of White Butterflies tonight?" he asked him.
"It was wonderful, as heartwretching as always. I can't imagine what kind of pain you went through to write a song like that." Tatsuha said.
Ryuuichi let his arms fall to his sides then. "Yes. you're right. That song was influenced by a painful period in my life, but it was also my way of singing a love song to my unrequited love. I lost the person that I orginally wrote the song for, but I definitely don't want to lose the one that I think about when I sing it now." Ryuuichi said.
Tatsuha stared at him then. ""Ryuuichi...what are you trying to say?" he asked him.
The older man's tear stained eyes meet his bodyguard's. "I'm trying to say that i'm sorry, Tatsuha. I'm sorry if I hurt you by interrupted our intimacy that night with my own insecurities and then trying to avoid you so I could get my head on straight. The last thing I would ever want to do is to hurt you, Tatsuha...I love you." Ryuuichi told him.
"Ryuuichi...did you say that you loved me?" he asked the singer.
"Yes. I became afraid that night we were together when you said those words because the last person who had told me that had been my first love. I had never let anyone close to me since then and when you told me...I was at a loss at how to feel, what to say. It was easier to run away than face those words, the ones that had caused me so much pain before. But when I realized how much I shared your feelings and needed you as much as you needed me, I knew that I loved you too. I don't want to lose you, Tatsuha! I love you!" he told him.
This time, it was Tatsuha who caught the vocalist in a crushing embrace.
"Oh Ryuuichi...you don't owe me an explanatiom. I shouldn't have pushed you before you were ready. I promise to make it up to you for as long as you'll have me. I've never loved anyone but you, my honey Ryuuichi." Tatsuha said.
There was no hesitation this time from either of them as they came together to share a deep, meaningful kiss. All the feelings the pair had for each other poured out throught he movements of their lips against each other's, their arms reaching out to pull each other close.
"Tatsuha, I want to finish what we started that night, only...I want to be the one who gives you pleasure instead." Ryuuichi told the teen.
And there was that nagging problem again, the one that seemed to be inflicting itself on Tatsuha since he had first inhaled that honeysuckle and musk scent on his idol the day they had gone to the zoo. The difference was that now, now only was his body at full attention, but the feelings in his heart and soul were returned by the one he loved.
"There's nothing I'd like more than for you to make love to me, Ryuuichi." he told him, confirming his words with a passionate kiss of his own.
Feeling as though he had waited lifetimes for this kiss, Ryuuichi threw his arms around Tatsuha's neck and returned the kiss with everythign he had.
They echoed each other's moans as Ryuuichi pressed Tatsuha against the elevator wall, slanting his mouth against the teen's for a forceful, demanding kiss. Tatsuha groaned and responded immediately, feeling as though he was finally recieving what Ryuuichi had been holding back all this time.
"Ryuuichi..." Tatsuha whispered as they parted.
Ryuuichi smiled as he feathered his fingers against Tatsuha's wrist and brought it down agaisnt his covered arousal. Tatsuha smiled. "I think you may have a thing for elevators. Ryuiichi." he teased him.
Ryuuichi smiled as he embraced the teen. "No. The only thing I have a thing for is you, Tatsuha Usegi." he told him.
Tatsuha smiled as he returned his embrace. "My honey Ryuuichi." he said.
Stepping out of the elevator hand in hand, Tatsuha and Ryuuichi made their way to their hotel room together, no doubts in their mind about what was about to happen.
He and Ryuuichi were in love with each other, and Tatsuha was about to fullfill the one fantasy that had never gone away, the one where he and the singer had pledged their undying devotion to each other, sealing the deal with a night of passionate lovemaking.
Turning on the light in the bathroom and leaving the door cracked open to provide them with some light, Ryuuichi walked up to Tatsuha with a smile. Reaching out to rest his hands on Tatsuha's chest, he unbuttoned the handsome purple shirt to the waist, exploring Tatsuha's bare chest with his hands, following his hands' trail with his mouth. Breezing across the teen's flat nipples, he nipped each one in turn and licked the injured area, smiling up at Tatsuha's sharp gasp.
"I like the way you taste, Tatsuha. Much better than frosting any day." he told him.
"I like that too...you're about to make my knees go weak." Tatsuha moaned.
Ryuuichi smiled. "I haven't even gotten started yet." he told him.
Ryuuichi knew now for sure that he was in love. He had only once came out in public in such a high profile destination with Touma, and even then they had been mobbed by fans. He didn't care then and didn't care now. He wanted to be seen with Tatsuha, to show him that they didn't always need the costumes to go out.
The waiters there, upon recognizing him, were more than happy to seat him in the most private area of the resturant, a darkened little alcove on the covered patio overlooking Tokyo Bay.
Ryuuichi sighed as he watched the moonlight dance over the calm waters, reminding him of the depth of Tatsuha's gaze. If he had been entranced by the peaceful calm of the rippling waves, then he could have never been prepared for the sight of his teenage bodyguard arriving to meet with him.
He fought to catch his breath as he stared at the well dressed young man, utterly gorgeous in black dress pants and purple button down short sleeve shirt. He lloks even dressed up than he does in his normal clothes, Ryuuichi thought, and just as comfortable in either.
It seemed as though the teen carried himself with confidence, him wearing the clothes instead of them wearing him. His eyes widened when he saw Ryuuichi stand to greet him, dressed immaculately in all black with his usual scent of honeysuckle and musk wafting about him.
"Hello Tatsuha." Ryuuchi said.
"Good evening, Ryuuichi. I'm surprised you would come here all by yourself. I am supposed to be your bodyguard, after all." Tatsuha said.
"Why don't we sit down? I didn't bring you here as my bodyguard, Tatsuha. I thought it would be nice to take a night off from your duties. You deserve it after everything you've done for me." Ryuuchi said.
"I don't know what to say." Tatsuha said.
"You don't have to say anything. The fact that you came tonight is good enough for me. Order whatever you like." Ryuuichi said.
Browsing the menu, Tatsuha found that he had way too many choices to be able to make up his mind and allowed Ryuuichi to order for them. The vocalist special ordered a meal for two, a generous plate of angel hair pasta with steamed scallops in white wine sauce.
How could he have possibly known that steamed scallops were my weakness, Tatsuha wondered. He had always savored their midly fishy, salty taste and especially liked them dipped in butter, like Ryuuichi seemed content to do in front of him.
He watched Ryuuichi intently as he licked the butter from the morsel of meat, rolling it across his tongue before taking it completely into his mouth. Tatsuha groaned under his breath at his action, his bodt tightening in response.
Taking a swallow of his pasta, he offered a forkful to Ryuuchi, who accepted eagerly. The two men shared a smile between them as they finished their meal, their connection as strong as always.
Opting to walk along the waterfront, Tatsuha and Ryuuchi decided to check out a nightclub that seemed popular in the area. The bouncers there did not put up a fight about Tatsuha's age as they welcomed Ryuuchi with open arms, the music in the club a rousing dance beat of remix techo and freestyle.
Another thing Ryuuichi and I have in common, Tatsuha thought. That had been what had drawn the teen to Nittle Grasper's music to begin with, that their music was unconventional and different, that it could make you dance as easily as it could make you think.
After meeting Ryuuichi and Noriko and from knowing Touma, he now understood the soul of what made Nittle Grasper so awesome was the passion that the trio exhibited within themselves and shared with others.
He admired that now more than ever as Ryuuichi dragged him out onto the dance floor with a laugh and a smile. Being with Ryuuichi when he was happy was like an addiction, one he never wanted to be rehabilitated for.
As much as Tatsuha enjoyed dancing, he felt a little shy in public doing so, unlike his companion. People couldn't help but stare at Ryuuichi as he lost himself in the rhythm as if it were a part of him. Spinning discs in the booth over them, the house deejay's eyes widened as he scanned the dance floor and saw that he had a famous face in the crowd.
"Hey you ladies and gentlemen out there! How are all of you tonight? I hope that you will help me to welcome a special guest with us tonight on the dance floor, Ryuuichi Sakuma of Nittle Grasper!" the deejay shouted.
Surprised gasps and loud applause filled the dance floor as Ryuuichi waved happily to his audience, asking Tatsuha to assist him to the deejay's booth.
"Sakuma-san, what an honor it is to have you with us at the Pelican Club tonight. So tell us, is it true that you're in the process of recording a new CD in the studio? What kinds of songs can we expect from this new CD?" the deejay asked.
Ryuuichi smiled. "I'm glad you asked me that, because all the rumors you've heard are true. As a matter of fact, I'd really like all of you to be the first to hear the return of one of your favorites on this disc by performing it myself live tonight." he told the audience.
Tatsuha's eyes widened as the audience roared. Was Ryuuichi serious, he wondered. Before he had a chance to ponder this furthur, the house band, who had been on break, eagerly set up a makeshift stage for the veteran artist, taking their places onstage.
"I'd like to dedicate this song to a very dear driend of mine, someone I have just gotten to know recently but has already made an impact on my life. This song is for you." Ryuuichi said.
As the band launched into the song Ryuuichi was to perform, Tatsuha knew exactly which it was, despite the slight changes to the way it was played to make it more modern. It was just like another one of his fantasties, the one where Ryuuichi sang his most passionate song to him alone.
"Oh, the touch of your hands on my sensitive skin gets my attention everytime. Don't try to fool me into thinking you know not what you do. you must know how much I desire you...When I look into your eyes, I just know you want me too... Oh, don't let our love flutter away like so many white butterflies...my heart and soul would never recover, even if it is true that you don't really love me after all..." Ryuuichi sang.
Tears stung Tatsuha's eyes as he heard Ryuuichi sing the song that had anchored his heart forevermore to the older man, realizing that he was indeed the one Ryuuichi was dedicating the song to. Did this mean Ryuuichi thought that Tatsuha would end up walking away from his duties because of their short seperation or was it because that song was so meaningful to the both of them?
He had too many questions and too few answers as the song ended, his own applause overshadowing the rest of the crowd. Leaving the stage after greeting many of his fans, Ryuuichi returned to Tatsuha's side as they made their way outside to leave.
Silent on their way back to the hotel, Tatsuha felt a very strong sense of deja vu as he and Ryuuichi got onto the elevator together. He jumped slightly as Ryuuichi suddenly launched himself into the teen's arms.
"Thank you for tonight, Tatsuha. I wasn't sure you would show up." Ryuuichi told him.
"I'm not angry about what happened between us. I care about you too much to allow that to happen. I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it." Tatsuha said.
"What did you think of my rendition of White Butterflies tonight?" he asked him.
"It was wonderful, as heartwretching as always. I can't imagine what kind of pain you went through to write a song like that." Tatsuha said.
Ryuuichi let his arms fall to his sides then. "Yes. you're right. That song was influenced by a painful period in my life, but it was also my way of singing a love song to my unrequited love. I lost the person that I orginally wrote the song for, but I definitely don't want to lose the one that I think about when I sing it now." Ryuuichi said.
Tatsuha stared at him then. ""Ryuuichi...what are you trying to say?" he asked him.
The older man's tear stained eyes meet his bodyguard's. "I'm trying to say that i'm sorry, Tatsuha. I'm sorry if I hurt you by interrupted our intimacy that night with my own insecurities and then trying to avoid you so I could get my head on straight. The last thing I would ever want to do is to hurt you, Tatsuha...I love you." Ryuuichi told him.
"Ryuuichi...did you say that you loved me?" he asked the singer.
"Yes. I became afraid that night we were together when you said those words because the last person who had told me that had been my first love. I had never let anyone close to me since then and when you told me...I was at a loss at how to feel, what to say. It was easier to run away than face those words, the ones that had caused me so much pain before. But when I realized how much I shared your feelings and needed you as much as you needed me, I knew that I loved you too. I don't want to lose you, Tatsuha! I love you!" he told him.
This time, it was Tatsuha who caught the vocalist in a crushing embrace.
"Oh Ryuuichi...you don't owe me an explanatiom. I shouldn't have pushed you before you were ready. I promise to make it up to you for as long as you'll have me. I've never loved anyone but you, my honey Ryuuichi." Tatsuha said.
There was no hesitation this time from either of them as they came together to share a deep, meaningful kiss. All the feelings the pair had for each other poured out throught he movements of their lips against each other's, their arms reaching out to pull each other close.
"Tatsuha, I want to finish what we started that night, only...I want to be the one who gives you pleasure instead." Ryuuichi told the teen.
And there was that nagging problem again, the one that seemed to be inflicting itself on Tatsuha since he had first inhaled that honeysuckle and musk scent on his idol the day they had gone to the zoo. The difference was that now, now only was his body at full attention, but the feelings in his heart and soul were returned by the one he loved.
"There's nothing I'd like more than for you to make love to me, Ryuuichi." he told him, confirming his words with a passionate kiss of his own.
Feeling as though he had waited lifetimes for this kiss, Ryuuichi threw his arms around Tatsuha's neck and returned the kiss with everythign he had.
They echoed each other's moans as Ryuuichi pressed Tatsuha against the elevator wall, slanting his mouth against the teen's for a forceful, demanding kiss. Tatsuha groaned and responded immediately, feeling as though he was finally recieving what Ryuuichi had been holding back all this time.
"Ryuuichi..." Tatsuha whispered as they parted.
Ryuuichi smiled as he feathered his fingers against Tatsuha's wrist and brought it down agaisnt his covered arousal. Tatsuha smiled. "I think you may have a thing for elevators. Ryuiichi." he teased him.
Ryuuichi smiled as he embraced the teen. "No. The only thing I have a thing for is you, Tatsuha Usegi." he told him.
Tatsuha smiled as he returned his embrace. "My honey Ryuuichi." he said.
Stepping out of the elevator hand in hand, Tatsuha and Ryuuichi made their way to their hotel room together, no doubts in their mind about what was about to happen.
He and Ryuuichi were in love with each other, and Tatsuha was about to fullfill the one fantasy that had never gone away, the one where he and the singer had pledged their undying devotion to each other, sealing the deal with a night of passionate lovemaking.
Turning on the light in the bathroom and leaving the door cracked open to provide them with some light, Ryuuichi walked up to Tatsuha with a smile. Reaching out to rest his hands on Tatsuha's chest, he unbuttoned the handsome purple shirt to the waist, exploring Tatsuha's bare chest with his hands, following his hands' trail with his mouth. Breezing across the teen's flat nipples, he nipped each one in turn and licked the injured area, smiling up at Tatsuha's sharp gasp.
"I like the way you taste, Tatsuha. Much better than frosting any day." he told him.
"I like that too...you're about to make my knees go weak." Tatsuha moaned.
Ryuuichi smiled. "I haven't even gotten started yet." he told him.